Ali LaBelle Creative LLC

Last weekend, my cookbook club assembled for our twelfth dinner in my friend Victoria’s backyard. We’ve been meeting on a near-quarterly basis for three years now, and as the club founder and self-appointed president, it’s one of my most treasured extracurricular activities. This one was one of our best yet: perfect weather, a solid book pick, and a spread that looked like it came from the kitchen in Call Me By Your Name. I made a tomato tarte tatin that, against all odds, was delicious.

On the Fourth of July, I was lounging in a park with some friends when my sister asked what we’d each do for work if money wasn’t a thing. I said I’d be a travel influencer, but not one who makes frenzied TikToks in crowded places; I’d be more like a travel personality—someone who stays in fancy hotels and dishes about the mini bar selection and the room service menu and the quality of the sheets.

At the end of last summer, I closed out Love Island season with a redesign of the villa, from the communal bedroom to Soul Ties and every LED-lit nook and cranny in between. This summer, I’m back with a new reality TV house many of us know like it’s our own: the Summer House house.

Back in March, I shared an update on where I was in the process of writing my book, what it’s about, how I got here, and some of the deep, dark fears that were keeping me up at night along the way. I’m famously and embarrassingly terrible at coping with the feelings that come with doing something for the very first time, and writing a whole manuscript definitely challenged the part of me that wants to effortlessly “ta-da!” everything I do.

I spent the first half of this week in Saugatuck, Michigan, a place I had never heard of until I got invited on my very first press trip to Michigan’s “art coast”. Chicago-based interiors firm Soucie Horner purchased The Wickwood Inn in Saugatuck a few years ago, then completely restored and revamped it into this antiques-filled paradise for anyone who loves gardens full of hydrangeas, pressed sheets, and waking up to the smell of French toast.

Come to Italy with me! I’m leading an inspiration trip to Milan and Turin in the fall, and I think you should come. More details here. Welcome back to The Museum, a new-ish column on À La Carte that hands us a map to a gallery of the objects, ideas, and references that make up a person’s life, from the entrance hall to the gift shop.

“I hate Art Deco,” I overheard a woman admit to her shopping buddy in a vintage furniture store a few weeks ago. “It’s so masculine. I prefer Art Nouveau.” (Italics added for dramatic effect.) I quickly darted my eyes in her direction to peek at what piece of furniture could have prompted this bad take, but ultimately, I couldn’t tell—she was standing near a Brutalist coffee table and some midcentury Danish chairs.

A bucket list, kind of I’m in a real drinks-in-the-garden, lay-in-the-park-all-day mood these days. If last summer was the Summer of the Wine Bar Patio, and the year before that was the Summer of the Vintage J. Crew Catalog, I’m calling this summer the Summer of the Provincial Picnic—I’m seeing meadows, town squares, farmers markets, and lots of baskets in our future. I may be a few weeks early but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.

Quietly crying into my popcorn Last week, sitting in a private movie theater with 40 of my friends, I watched The Parent Trap for the five millionth time. I had been wanting to host a movie night at this particular theater—Now Instant in Chinatown—for a while, and when Rec League asked if I’d want to partner with them on an event, I jumped at the chance to serve my friends popcorn (in custom popcorn buckets, obviously). It took me a minute to land on a movie to screen.

RECENT ACQUISITIONS Yuni Buffa’s Pia Ballerina flats have been on my list forever—first in Cloud, then in Bermuda, and most recently in Cherry (which is the *perfect* red). I just couldn’t decide. But to my delight, the brand just launched Rosey, a perfect dusty pink that reminds me of powdered blush and vintage bathroom tiles. And in the middle of my pink era! I’m thrilled. Sea generously sent me a floaty, lace-trimmed robe from their new loungewear collection and it has changed everything.